Memories of Bill "Weenie Beenie" Staton, from his daughter

"My dad was a wonderful dad. He was the epitome of the American Dream. He did what we all aspire to. Born the 9th of 9 children, he was raised in a small farmhouse in Concord, NC. He rose from modest beginnings to become an American legend and has done more in his life than most of us will ever do. It is said he started pool at the old age of 23 and loved the game. He became accomplished enough to win a number of championships and did what he loved for a living. He was a master of all games and sports, particularly pool, golf and cards.

At our house, he was the Master of Ceremonies.

He challenged us with a new vocabulary word daily. He was the consummate entertainer. He loved to entertain all of us kids, and our children. He loved to tell jokes and anecdotes, showed us card tricks and magic tricks. He loved to baffle us. He would turn $1 dollar bills into $5s and $20s, and sometimes a $100 bill. Whenever we would visit from Seattle, my son Sean always asked me to bring a lot of $1 dollar bills so granddad could turn them into $100 bills.

Dad loved Las Vegas, Atlantic City, and then Biloxi, Miss. He loved to travel, but most importantly, he loved his family and friends, of which he had so many. That dad affected so many lives is amazing. He was everyone's friend, a gentleman, and a real Class Act.

He started several successful businesses, including the Weenie Beenie restaurants with our Uncle Carl, and the Jack and Jill Family cue clubs. He was a true entrepreneur. After I was born, he never worked a 9 to 5 job, which was an example to us to, as he said, “beat our own path” in life.

Dad and Mom had three children and encouraged each of us to follow our dreams and our hearts, to be our best, and to contribute to the world. He raised me as the first born boy, giving me, and Vik and Scott, every opportunity for a broad and varied education and life experience; to travel, to explore, to aspire to do anything, and everything, which was unusual for the 50s. He was a visionary.

Dad instilled in me and my brother and sister our values. He was our inspiration and role model. He always rooted for the underdog. He loved people and animals, including his menagerie of cats, raccoons, all named "Rocky", birds, hummingbirds, butterflies, a red fox, and even the possums that he fed nightly in Myrtle Beach.

He was a true free spirit and his values and beliefs and traditions live on

in us.

He taught us to be the best we can be,

and to live life with

Integrity, Honesty, Morality, Diligence and Perseverance,

Courage and Strength, Compassion, a Sense of Humor, Spontaneity

And, most importantly, Love and Respect.

He was the most worldly and widely respected man I ever knew. Despite his accomplishments, he was always humble; very proud of Mom and us. When we kids were around, there was not a day that he didn't tell Mom he loved her.

That is the character of my father. We are truly blessed.

Dad, Thank you for guiding us in life, and for your love, support and devotion. You will be remembered and loved by us all, always.

This is not the end; it is a new and rejoiceful beginning."